Artifice

Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Arts
  • Updated Semimonthly

Great art almost feels like magic—it opens our minds to brand new ideas, and teaches us to see ourselves and our world more clearly. Of course, behind all great art, there are artists. And that’s where the real magic happens… As we go beneath the art itself to explore how different artists do what they do, we see glimpses of the sorts of creativity, resilience, and bravery that lead to the art that moves our world. And maybe we can learn to borrow some of that magic for our very own thinking. Join professional musician Emily Merrell for conversations with artists of all kinds. Together, we examine the mysteries of our own experiences, our muses and fears, our gifts and foibles, our beliefs about the origins of creativity, and the secret magic we’ve discovered in our unique creative processes. Mediums include: studio art, graphic design, dance, cooking, illustration, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, music composition, music performance, film making, acting, production, fashion design, photography, and more. Visit https://emilymerrellmusic.com/artifice-podcast/ for more information. - Theme Song "As You Are" by Emily Merrell @emilymerrellmusic - Illustration and Graphic Design by Sarah Keele @sarahkeeleart - Photography by Jen Palmer @jenpalmerphoto - HMU by Shawna Turner @shawnaturnerdesigns

  1. 12h ago

    Ep. 248: Yulia Brodskaya

    Renowned paper artist Yulia Brodskaya is redefining the boundaries of the centuries-old craft of paper quilling. Originally trained as a graphic designer and illustrator, her journey into paper began almost by accident. In spelling her name “YULIA” with strips of paper in her very first paper artwork, she unknowingly set out to reinvent the centuries-old craft, pioneering a technique of drawing with paper strips—representing each drawn with an edge-glued strip that lifts the drawing into the third dimension. Soon after discovering her unique voice, Brodskaya earned international recognition for her innovative paper illustrations and was named Creative Review magazine’s “Breakthrough Star” of 2009. Her early work focused primarily on paper typography, quickly attracting an extraordinary roster of clients. Over the following years, she completed more than 200 commissions and collaborations, working with renowned brands including Neiman Marcus, Hermès, Issey Miyake, Wimbledon, Paramount Pictures, and The Balvenie. Yet alongside this commercial success, Brodskaya continued to explore the deeper expressive potential of paper. Gradually, her focus shifted toward portraiture and natural forms, where she could fully develop her signature technique of Painting with paper. Her book Painting with Paper — Paper on the Edge documents this pioneering technique, revealing how tightly folded paper strips can function like 3-dimentional brushstrokes, with colours blended and layered in a process analogous to mixing paint on a palette. The result is work that possesses all the richness of painting, while adding the tactile presence and dimensionality. Through her teaching and sharing of these methods, Brodskaya has inspired a global community of paper artists. Many have been able to follow in her footsteps, developing their own practices and livelihoods through this medium—first by learning to “draw” with paper, and now by exploring its full painterly and expressive potential. Today, her work continues to evolve. Her latest portrait experiments blur the boundary between paper quilling and Impressionist painting, demonstrating the extraordinary capacity of paper to convey light, emotion, and human presence. Through her hands, paper transforms from a simple material into a living medium, giving rise to a unique visual language the art world has never seen before. https://www.instagram.com/yulia_brodskaya_artyulia/ www.artyulia.com www.yuliacourses.com

    Ep. 248: Yulia Brodskaya

  2. Sep 7

    Ep. 247: Kitty McNamee

    Kitty McNamee is an artist, a creator and most importantly a collaborator. Her passion for the human heart, psychology and storytelling fuels her work with non-dancers and dancers alike. KItty’s early years in LA were spent honing her craft as Artistic Director of Hysterica Dance Co., a consistently prolific and creative collective that redefined dance in Los Angeles. Her unique approach to direction and choreography was declared by Dance Magazine to possess “an outsize talent for that most elusive gift, originality.” Kitty’s dance films have screened at over 50 festivals worldwide. Coming to dance late, Kitty’s deep appreciation and hunger for engagement has kept her creative practice at the forefront of her life ever since. She is deeply committed to the dance community, serving as mentor and advocate for the next generation of dancers and choreographers. Kitty spearheads, with Dance Camera West, LA POPS UP a dynamic program which is a rare opportunity to see the raw, disruptive, and authentic artistry of LA dance filmmakers together in a cinematic setting. Kitty has a long and fruitful relationship with the LA Philharmonic. Opera work includes Turandot, Marriage of Figaro, Romeo et Juliette, La Traviata, Don Carlo, La Rondine, Lucia di Lammermoor and Tales of Hoffman for LA Opera, San Francisco Opera , San Diego Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. https://www.kittymcnamee.com https://www.lapopsup.com

    Ep. 247: Kitty McNamee

  3. Aug 18

    Ep. 246: Amy Gross

    Amy Gross was born on Long Island, New York, and received her BFA from the Cooper Union in New York City. After a residency at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, she started a graphic design company, and worked as a surface designer, specializing in textiles, children’s products and toy design. In 2000 she moved to South Florida, and fascinated by the subtropical environment and the intricate natural growth there, began making hand-beaded jewelry. Her work expanded to embroidered canvases, then sculpture merging observed natural elements with invented life forms. In 2006, Gross received a grant from the South Florida Cultural Consortium, was the finalist for the Southern Prize in 2019, and received an Artist Innovation Fellowship in 2020. Her mixed media sculpture is represented by Momentum Gallery in Asheville, NC. Selected exhibits include the Craft and Folk Art Museum of Los Angeles, The Minnesota Museum of Art, the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum, the Asheville Art Museum, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Bascom Center, and fairs Art Wynwood and SOFA. Her shadowboxes are part of the permanent collection of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and, as part of the Art in Embassies program, installed in the new American Embassy in Papua New Guinea. Her work has appeared in Fiber Arts Magazine, American Craft Magazine, The Washington Post, Luxe Magazine, Create Magazine and the art and culture blogs Colossal TreeHugger, ArtMag and The Jealous Curator. She was featured in an article in the Spring 2016 issue of Fiber Art Now Magazine, and was the issue’s cover artist. She appears in three Schiffer Press books, Artistry in Fiber, Sculpture, Dimensional Cloth, Sculpture by Contemporary Textile Artists, and Stitched: Journeys with Birds. Her work will appear in the upcoming Phaidon book Fungi: The World of Mushrooms. She lives and works in Delray Beach, Florida. Amy Gross amygross.com Instagram: amyla174 momentumgallery.com

    Ep. 246: Amy Gross

  4. Aug 11

    Ep. 245: Mark Winters

    Texas-based rock singer-songwriter Mark Winters creates acoustic-driven songs that balance melody, groove, and quiet attention. His work blends poetic reflection with a background in aerospace engineering, shaping music that values both emotional clarity and thoughtful structure. Winters first picked up a guitar to play a song for his wife, discovering a deep connection between songwriting and presence. Since then, his music has grown into a body of work that draws from blues-influenced phrasing, acoustic rock sensibilities, science and a lifelong love of poetry - especially haikus, inspired by his grandmother, who encouraged him to express himself through words. His debut album, Slipstream (2019), introduced listeners to his lyrical storytelling and science-inflected metaphors, earning widespread praise and surpassing one million streams worldwide. He expanded that vision on Boundary Layer (2022), an album exploring momentum, growth, and the spaces where change happens. With a nod to Albert Einstein and his science roots, Winters released E=MC2 (2024) embracing science and poetry through tracks like Speed of Light and a radio friendly version of Boundary Layer. Winters released Acoustic Me (2025), a stripped-down record centered on voice and intimacy, followed by the poetic and nature inspired single “Man in the Sky.” A seasoned touring artist, Winters performs primarily as a solo act, using guitar, piano, and subtle looping to create listening-forward shows that reward attention and restraint. In 2025, he launched the Good Vibes Highway Tour, bringing these intimate performances to rooms across the U.S. and Canada - places where songs can breathe and connection can form naturally. Mark Winters’ “Boundary Layer” will put you in the high frequency energy state to feel ultra confident to release your old boundaries. - Americana Highways Winters writes songs that are catchy and engaging that will brighten your day and lift your mood.” – Indie Band Guru “Mark Winters is a mad rocket-scientist who finds his charm through the magic of poetry and music” – Testing Melodies “And when Winters sings? Man, he pours his heart and soul into it. You can practically feel the passion in every note. His voice climbs, and it’s like he’s sending out this wave of hope and positivity.” - Music Arenagh Website: www.markwintersmusic.com Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dfXqjPrnIgC5fM9HtITAT?si=5OIoeTEQQJeAzq1lrfYqoQ

    Ep. 245: Mark Winters

  5. Aug 4

    Ep. 244: Deanna Kei

    Deanna Kei is a NYC based fashion and beauty illustrator, specializing in live event art and detailed fashion branding, blending luxury fashion with New York street style. After a decade as a womenswear designer, she transitioned into illustration, and now works with brands such as Gucci, Dior, Burberry, Givenchy, and more. Her commissioned illustrations have been gifted to celebrities including Gigi Hadid and Blake Lively. Deanna collaborates with luxury fashion and beauty brands to create elevated, storytelling-driven illustrations and imagery that inspire customer engagement while honoring each brand’s identity. She is also known for her live guest sketching at NY Fashion Week events, brand activations, luxury retail experiences, galas, corporate events, private parties, and weddings. Her live sketches celebrate guests’ unique personal style, capturing the details that make each look memorable. Since her first live sketching event in 2018, Deanna has illustrated thousands of guests. Her work is deeply influenced by her background in fashion design and her upbringing in New York City. She is a Fashion Institute of Technology alumna with over a decade of experience across women’s contemporary sportswear, outerwear, athleisure and performance, juniors, childrenswear, and menswear design categories, as well as professional styling roles. Deanna’s illustrations have been featured across television commercials, magazines, newspapers, digital platforms, market week promotions, press trip packages, and live fashion week events. Her extensive knowledge of garment construction, fabric, silhouette, and fit informs every project, allowing her to approach illustration, design, and styling with precision and intention. Through her art, Deanna aims to encourage confidence, individuality, and positivity—celebrating personal style as a powerful form of nonverbal communication, always with a distinct New York edge. For more information or to discuss a new project contact Deannakei@gmail.com!

    Ep. 244: Deanna Kei

  6. Jul 21

    Ep. 243 : Perla Sanchez

    Perla Sanchez is a Dominican American artist and illustrator whose work explores identity, self-trust, growth, and reflection. Through expressive figures, bold color, and botanical elements, she creates intimate scenes that celebrate strength, becoming, and the beauty of quiet moments. Her immersive work invites viewers to pause, reconnect with themselves, and find inner peace and joy. Website: https://www.perlyblooms.com Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/perlyblooms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perlyblooms

    Ep. 243 : Perla Sanchez

  7. Jul 13

    Ep. 242 : Eliza Carrington

    Singer-songwriter Elthia creates indie pop music that leaves her listeners marveling at her wordplay and vibing to her ethereal, dreamy style. Combining real stories with fantastical elements, Elthia writes character pieces and ghost stories that she sets to music in each of her songs. In her own words, “I want my songs to feel like paintings that you sit in front of and stare at for a long time, getting completely entranced by them. I want you to listen to my music and continue to get lost in that world.” She enhances her artistic image by creating wearable art pieces, using dripping candles, demitasse spoons, and skeletal claws, all featured in her music videos. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o650cPIv3LQmts2yph8F1?si=fmmmtU-DQ7KxCV_eV6XjcQ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elthia

    Ep. 242 : Eliza Carrington

  8. Jul 7

    Ep. 241 : Alex Josephson

    Alex Josephson OAA, M.Arch (University of Waterloo), B.A.S (University of Waterloo) President Born in Toronto, Canada. Alex Josephson studied architecture at the University of Waterloo and in Rome. He co-founded PARTISANS in 2012 after dropping out of the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA). Alex is the only Canadian to have received the New York Prize Fellowship at the Van Alen Institute, he was named 2015 Best Emerging Designer by Canada’s Design Exchange. He currently lectures at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty of Architecture. Alex is a registered architect in Ontario. https://partisans.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alexanderjosephson/

    Ep. 241 : Alex Josephson
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Great art almost feels like magic—it opens our minds to brand new ideas, and teaches us to see ourselves and our world more clearly. Of course, behind all great art, there are artists. And that’s where the real magic happens… As we go beneath the art itself to explore how different artists do what they do, we see glimpses of the sorts of creativity, resilience, and bravery that lead to the art that moves our world. And maybe we can learn to borrow some of that magic for our very own thinking. Join professional musician Emily Merrell for conversations with artists of all kinds. Together, we examine the mysteries of our own experiences, our muses and fears, our gifts and foibles, our beliefs about the origins of creativity, and the secret magic we’ve discovered in our unique creative processes. Mediums include: studio art, graphic design, dance, cooking, illustration, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, music composition, music performance, film making, acting, production, fashion design, photography, and more. Visit https://emilymerrellmusic.com/artifice-podcast/ for more information. - Theme Song "As You Are" by Emily Merrell @emilymerrellmusic - Illustration and Graphic Design by Sarah Keele @sarahkeeleart - Photography by Jen Palmer @jenpalmerphoto - HMU by Shawna Turner @shawnaturnerdesigns

Information

  • Creator
    Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    263
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Artifice

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